REVIEW: MIND THE GAPS

Age Suitability: Parental Guidance (ages 13+)

Genre: Sketch Comedy/Improv, Storytelling/Solo Show

Run Time: 50 mins

Venue: Mills Hardware

One of the thrills of an unjuried theatre festival is the various types of productions you get to see. Nathan Lise returns to the stage with a follow up to his 2024 Fringe show More Missing Episodes and in Mind the Gaps, Lise continues to show promise as a authentic and humble storyteller who just needs some focused direction and support to see his production succeed.

With an anxious but welcoming energy, Lise is, at least, honest about his struggles creating this show. He shows a PowerPoint chart relating to his creative process and since the bulk of the show feels unpredictable, there is raw, unfiltered delivery to his entire performance. Lise selects random objects from random boxes of his personal belongings and shares some brief moments of reflection from his past and present experiences growing up in a small, religious community, saving a life, losing a friend (a repeat from More Missing Episodes) and being a good partner. These reflections are vulnerable and address many stigmas regarding mental health and coming to terms with who you are.

Lise has refined elements of himself as a storyteller in only a year’s time. He’s charming and easy to empathize with. If I have any major feedback, it’s the need for some dedicated workshopping and directorial guidance to figure out a semblance of a script so the shows don’t feel so unpolished. If you don’t mind the gaps, check this one out.